ALBANY, NY (12/06/2011)(readMedia)– The Cranberry Mountain Wildlife Management Area has expanded by a third with New York state’s acquisition of a 261-acre property in Putnam County that is prized for wildlife habitat and water quality protection, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. The property, known as North Hollow, is located within the Great Swamp watershed and was acquired by the state with federal grant money and a private donation.

On Sunday, December 4, 2011, Senator John A. DeFrancisco attended a holiday open house at Solvay Library. He is pictured with Board of Trustees President Lorraine Page and Solvay Library Director Cara Burton.

Many Albany observers agree that it's already been a pivotal year in New York State government. But the challenges have never been greater and there's a heavy workload still facing the State Legislature. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key issues, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies, and much more. Stop back every Monday for Senator O'Mara's latest column "From the Capitol..."

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today joined with representatives from the Merrick Chamber of Commerce and other local officials in celebrating the grand opening of one of Merrick’s newest small businesses, Merrick Pediatric Dentistry.

Senator Fuschillo, along with Town Clerk Mark Bonilla and Nassau County Legislators Norma Gonsalves and Dave Denenberg, joined the Merrick Chamber in congratulating Dr. Rania Elbaz and wishing her many years of success.

Merrick Pediatric Dentistry, located at 1469 Merrick Avenue in Merrick, is a child-friendly office which focuses on helping children maintain good dental and oral health and teaching them about good dental habits to keep their teeth healthy.

Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo (back center) visits with the William Rall Elementary School Student Council, as well as student council advisors Valerie Dietrich (back right) and Dawn Masterson (back left), to talk with them about his “Extend the Holidays” toy drive. The student council will be participating in the program by holding a collection drive at the school.

(Bronx, NY)- On Thursday, December 1st, Senator José M. Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx), Assemblymember Vanessa Gibson (D-Bronx), and Councilmember Helen Diane Foster (D-Bronx) held an immigration forum in the Highbridge Community in the Bronx. The event featured a three part discussion on Secure Communities (S-Comm), Immigrant Rights, and Paths to Citizenship.

In this week's Community Connection, the 2011 Job Fair for Business and Techincal Professionals is coming up on Thursday, December 8th, Glacier Ridge Snow Tubing opening in Parma, and some of the events taking place around the community in the week ahead. Click the link below to view this week's Community Connection in full-screen view.

Senator Jack Martins hosted a day of fun and exercise at the Dutch Broadway School. The annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament was open to students from 5th grade through college. This year there was also a soccer clinic. And high school and college kids were able to participate in 7-on-7 football games.

The Queens Gazette wrote about the 22nd GHOA's Thanksgiving Meal giveaway which was held at the organization’s headquarters, 23-49 31st St. this year. Senator Gianaris, along with other elected officials, volunteered to distribute meals to the elderly, the poor, the homeless and the lonesome in our community.

While millions of Americans spent their Thanksgiving holiday in the warm surroundings of home with family and friends, an equal number, including many throughout the city, experienced just the opposite.